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Injury frustration at Leeds United underlined as September setback explained

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Luke Ayling aggravated his knee injury just hours before Leeds United hosted West Ham United back in September.

Leeds have been without Ayling since September 17th’s 1-1 draw with Newcastle United. The right-back injured his knee in that game, but was still set to feature against West Ham the week after.

However, there was a setback for Ayling, which has been explained ahead of his potential return in the coming weeks.

Speaking to The Athletic, Ayling has revealed that he was set to feature at centre-back against West Ham before aggravating his knee injury in the shower.

“On the morning of the (West Ham) game I was still alright. I was going to play centre-half and after the team talk, I went upstairs for a quick shower. When I got out, I felt something go. The knee gave way and didn’t come back. Straight away I went down to the physio and said I didn’t think I could play. Then I went for an operation on the Friday.”

Charlie Cresswell stepped in for a full Premier League debut in Ayling’s absence, doing well despite Leeds’ 2-1 defeat.

Ayling hasn’t featured since and has been absent for two months. However, there’s hope the 30-year-old is on the cusp of a return to Marcelo Bielsa’s squad after successful, minor surgery.

This just sums up Leeds’ injury situation at the moment.

Ayling was set to be fine after a minor knock on the knee and then has ended up having surgery and missing two months of the season.

With hindsight, it’s probably a good thing Leeds didn’t risk Ayling that day against West Ham. Had he played, he could’ve done himself serious damage and missed so much more of the season.

As it is, they’ve done well to battle on whilst he’s been out and are now in a position where they can welcome Ayling back ahead of December.

Fingers crossed that return coincides with an upturn in results.

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Leeds United Season Ticket Holder at Elland Road for over 20 seasons. Currently nestled in N12, but occasionally offering views from the press box. We’ve been through it all together? You bet.